#4 Edinboro Fighting Scots (19-9, 14-8 PSAC West) vs. #5 Mercyhurst Lakers (14-14, 12-10 PSAC West)
DATE: Saturday, February 27
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: McComb Fieldhouse
CITY: Edinboro, Pa.
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/edinboro/wbball/
LIVE STREAM / ON TV: ETV
RADIO: http://streamdb4web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WFSE
 
GAME STORY
Edinboro enters the PSAC Tournament this weekend after suffering a turnover-plagued, 83-52, defeat in the regular season finale at California (Pa.) this past Wednesday. The Fighting Scots finished the regular season as winners of five of their last seven contests, and ten of their last 13, with a 19-9 overall record and a 14-8 ledger in the PSAC West.
 
The Fighting Scots are seeking their sixth straight 20-win season and have won 144 games in that stretch.
 
The Fighting Scots are making their seventh straight PSAC Tournament appearance this Saturday after clinching the fourth-seed in Wednesday's loss. The Fighting Scots host local rival and fifth-seeded Mercyhurst in just the second meeting between the two teams in the postseason and the first since a 75-51 Edinboro win in the 2011 quarterfinals. The winner of Saturday's contest will travel to top-seeded California (Pa.) on Tuesday.
 
The Lakers enter the contest at an even 14-14 overall and 12-10 in the Western Division. Mercyhurst has won four of its last six contests, including wins over Indiana (Pa.) and Gannon. The Lakers are returning to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2012-13.
 
Edinboro swept the two regular season meetings with the Lakers for a fourth consecutive year, winning both contests by double-digits. Edinboro has won the last eight meetings between the two teams. The Fighting Scots dominated down low in both meetings, holding a 79-69 rebound advantage and outscoring the Lakers, 74-28, in the paint. Senior forward Aignee' Freeland has scored in double-figures in all but two of her eight career starts against the Lakers, averaging 15.3 ppg.
 
The Fighting Scots average 69.3 ppg., good for sixth in the PSAC, while allowing 64.4 ppg., which ranks ninth. Mercyhurst comes into the contest averaging 63.6 ppg., which is 14^th in the PSAC, while allowing 64.1 ppg., ranking eighth in the conference.
 
Edinboro made its debut in the NCAA Division II Regional Rankings this week, claiming the tenth spot in the Atlantic Region. FULL RANKINGS
 
EDINBORO IN THE PSAC TOURNAMENT
The Fighting Scots are making their seventh straight trip to the PSAC Tournament and their 21^st appearance overall under head coach Stan Swank. Edinboro has won three of the past five PSAC Titles (2014, 2012, and 2011) and captured four titles overall, with the first coming in 1990. Edinboro has amassed a 23-15 record in the postseason since their first appearance in 1989. The Fighting Scots have won at least one postseason contest in each of the past five seasons. TOURNAMENT HOMEPAGE

ON THE RADIO
The Edinboro-Mercyhurst game will be broadcast on WFSE 88.9. Mike Fenner will handle the play-by-play duties with Mike Lantinen on color commentary.
 
ON TV / ON LIVE STREAM
The Edinboro-Mercyhurst game will be broadcast on ETV and streamed live online at http://eupmediasite.passhe.edu/Mediasite/Play/8a252d83482d420b8b0d88ec8dc6a0251d
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
Edinboro leads 47-11
Edinboro has won ten of the last 11 meetings, including eight in a row, and swept the season-series each of the last four years. The Lakers haven't won a game in McComb Fieldhouse since the 2001-02 season.
 
First Meeting: December 1, 2015 – Edinboro 64, at Mercyhurst 42
The Fighting Scots used stingy defense to hold the Lakers to a season-low 42 points to secure a 64-42 victory at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Edinboro held the Lakers to just 18 first-half points and just 28.6 percent (16-of-56) shooting from the floor to take a 32-18 lead into the locker room. The Fighting Scots held Mercyhurst to just eight points in the second quarter as they outscored the Lakers 19-8 to take a 14-point lead into halftime and the lead grew to as much as 25 points in the fourth quarter. Michelle Jahn led the Fighting Scots with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Aignee' Freeland recorded her third double-double of the season, scoring 20 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Katie Fischer totaled 11 points and dished out six assists in her first return to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center since her transfer to Edinboro. Angela Heintz was the sole Laker in double figures, totaling 15 points.
FULL BOX SCORE / FULL RECAP
 
Last Meeting: January 30, 2016 – at Edinboro 68, Mercyhurst 54
Fueled by strong opening and closing quarters, the Fighting Scots recorded a fourth consecutive regular season sweep of the Lakers. Edinboro held Mercyhurst to just 22 first-half points and 29.6 percent (8-of-27) shooting to take a 30-22 lead into the locker room. Mercyhurst used an 11-3 run in the final 4:26 of the third period to cut the Edinboro lead to two points at 44-42 heading into the fourth quarter. The Lakers tied the game 45 seconds into the final quarter, but Edinboro answered back thanks to senior Aignee' Freeland. Freeland scored 13 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter and the first six points of the quarter for the Fighting Scots. The Edinboro defense held the Lakers scoreless the final 4:03 of the contest, finishing the game on a 14-0 run. Katie Fischer led the Fighting Scots with 19 points against her former squad. Freeland grabbed seven boards and blocked fived shots in addition to her 17 points. Freshman Michelle Jahn recorded her first career double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Fighting Scots held a slim 40-38 advantage on the glass and cashed in 14 Laker turnovers for 17 points. Angela Heintz and Natalie Piaggesi finished with 12 points each, while Jalin Steel added 10. 
FULL BOX SCORE / FULL RECAP
 
LAST TIME OUT
February 24, 2016 – at California (Pa.) 83, Edinboro 52
The Fighting Scots turned the ball over a season-high 25 times and failed to connect on a 3-pointer for the first time this season, going 0-for-9, as they fell victim to an 83-52 loss at California (Pa.) in the regular season finale. Edinboro committed seven turnovers in the first quarter as the Vulcans jumped out to a 23-11 lead which grew to 38-25 by halftime. The mistakes continued in the second half as the Fighting Scots turned the ball over another 12 times and went just 1-of-8 from the foul line. The Cal lead grew to as many as 31 points in the fourth quarter as Edinboro was outscored 23-8 in the final period. Aignee' Freeland led a pair of double-figure scorers with 25 points, while Katie Fischer added 10. FULL BOX SCORE / FULL RECAP

February 24, 2016 – Mercyhurst 62, at Gannon 54
Behind junior forward Natalie Piaggesi's season-high 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting, the Lakers defeated Gannon for the first time since 2011. Trailing by one at 30-29 with 7:24 remaining in the third quarter, Mercyhurst went on an 8-2 run to take a five-point lead at 37-32 heading into the final period of play. With the game still within reach at 52-46 with 3:21 remaining, the Lakers used a 7-1 run to take a double-digit lead for the first time with just 1:38 left to play. Senior guard Adrienne Klocker came off the bench to join Piaggessi as the only other Laker to score in double figures, finishing with 13 points. Mercyhurst finished the contest shooting 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the floor, but made just 12-of-21 attempts at the charity stripe.  FULL BOX SCORE / FULL RECAP
 
THE HEAD COACHES
 
Edinboro: Stan Swank (Purdue '76, 532-292, 29^th year)
Swank is in his 29^th season as the head coach at Edinboro and ranks as the all-time winningest coach in PSAC history and is also the longest tenured. He owns a career record of 532-292 at Edinboro, and over the previous five seasons Edinboro had a 125-27 record.  The Fighting Scots are making their seventh straight PSAC Tournament appearance and have won three PSAC championships over the past five seasons, the last coming in 2014. Swank entered the 2015-16 season tied for 12^th among active Division II coaches in victories.  That figure is tied for 24^th all-time in overall victories. He ranks 35^th in career winning percentage (.645).  Edinboro finished with a 20-8 record a year ago, the fifth straight season with 20-or-more wins and the 11^th in Swank's career. He guided the Fighting Scots to a 16-6 record in the PSAC West, good for fourth place. Edinboro defeated Seton Hill, 68-53, in the first round of the PSAC Tournament before suffering a 71-63 loss to Indiana(Pa.) in the quarterfinals. The Fighting Scots qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the sixth straight year and 11th time in the last 12 years.

Mercyhurst: Deanna Richard (Wayne State '01, 92-153, 9^th year; Career Record: 154-245, 15^th year)
Head coach Deanna Richard is in her ninth season at the helm of the Lakers' basketball team. She has guided Mercyhurst to PSAC Tournament bids three times in her career, including this season, the first time since 2012-13. Richard came to Mercyhurst from Olivet, where she spent six seasons as the head coach of the Comets and made the MIAA Tournament all six years. Richard was an outstanding player at Oakland from 1992-96, leading Oakland to a GLIAC Championship and a trip to the Elite Eight. She finished her career with 1,333 points and was inducted into Oakland's Hall of Honor in 2007.
 
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING SCOTS
2015-16 STATS: HTML / XML
2015-16 ROSTER
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aignee' Freeland (F, 6'3", Sr.) – a two-time All-PSAC West selection, Freeland joined the 1,000-point club as a junior. The senior forward ranks sixth on Edinboro's all-time scoring list with 1,539 career points. She is also third all-time in career rebounds with 940 boards. Heather Gates (1,301) and Montique Wade (1,113) rank first and second, respectively. Freeland is also fifth all-time in career blocks with 138. The 6'3'' forward is third in the PSAC with 54 blocks this season, the 12^th-most in single-season history. She also ranks fourth in the PSAC in scoring (16.9 ppg.) and eighth in rebounding (8.4 rpg.). Freeland has recorded nine double-doubles this season, good for fifth in the PSAC and ten 20-point outings.
 
Lauren Hippo (G, 5'10", Sr.) – the 5'10" senior recorded her 1,000^th career point recently at Gannon, joining fellow senior Aignee' Freeland in the 1,000-point club. Fittingly, her 1,000th career-point came off a 3-pointer. She is 28^th on the all-time scoring list at 1,063 points and ranks among the top all-time 3-point shooters in Edinboro history. Hippo is ranked third all-time in 3-point percentage at 38.7 percent, fifth in career 3-pointers made (174) and fifth in career 3-pointers attempted (450). Hippo is fourth on the team in scoring at 11.4 ppg. and third the team in rebounding, averaging a career-high 4.9 rpg. Hippo has attempted 169 3-pointers this season, the eighth most in a single-season. Hippo was recently named a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.

Katie Fischer (G, 5'7", Jr.) – the transfer from Mercyhurst is in her first season at Edinboro and continues her impressive season as a Fighting Scot, leading the PSAC and ranking sixth in Division II with 6.5 assists per game. She ranks fourth in the nation with 181 total assists, the seventh-most in single-season history. Fischer is second on the team in scoring at 15.9 ppg., good for ninth in the PSAC. Fischer has recorded five double-digit assist games this season and posted six double-doubles.
 
Michelle Jahn (G, 5'8'', Fr.) – the six-time PSAC West Freshman of the Week has proven to be one of the most dangerous 3-point threats in the conference. The General McLane High School product ranks third in the PSAC with a 40.0 3-pt. percentage, the tenth-highest in season history, and third with 64 3-point field goals. Jahn's 64 3-pointers are the sixth-most in single-season history. Jahn has scored in double figures in seven of the past nine contests and has recorded a 3-point field goal in all but five games this season. She is third on the team averaging 12.1 ppg.
 
SCOUTING THE LAKERS
2015-16 STATS: HTML
2015-16 ROSTER
 
A much-improved Mercyhurst team is making its first PSAC Tournament appearance since the 2012-13 season and the third since joining the conference in 2007-08. The Lakers' 14 wins this season are the most since 2010-11, when the squad won 15 games. In fact, the 14 wins are the second-most in head coach Deanna Richard's nine-year career as the head coach at Mercyhurst.
 
The Lakers enter the postseason winners of four of their last six contests, including wins over Indiana (Pa.) and Gannon. Mercyhurst has held opponents to just 59.3 ppg. during that stretch.
 
The Lakers are 11-5 in games when they hold opponents to 65 points or less and just 2-9 when opponents score over 65.
 
Mercyhurst features a pair of double-figure scorers in Natalie Piaggesi and Angela Heintz. Former high school teammates at Seton-LaSalle, Piaggesi and Heintz combine to form a formidable guard-forward combo.
 
Heintz, a transfer from Division I Duquesne, leads Mercyhurst in rebounding and ranks second in scoring, averaging 13.6 ppg. and 6.6 rpg. She ranks seventh in the PSAC with 56 3-pointers.
 
Piaggesi ranks first in scoring (14.8 ppg.) and second in rebounding (6.5 rpg.) at 14.8 ppg. Earlier this season, Piaggesi became the 18^th player in program history to score 1,000 career points. The 6'1'' junior has recorded 1,052 career points.
 
Senior guard Adrienne Kloecker, a member of the 1,000-point club, comes off the bench for the Lakers, averaging 8.0 ppg. and 2.6 rpg

PROBABLE STARTERS

						PPG	RPG
F	12	Natalie Piaggesi	6-1	Jr.	Bethel Park, Pa.	14.8	6.5
F	33	Jessica Bell	5-10	Jr.	Crown Point, Ind.	8.7	4.7
G	3	Hayley Andres	5-7	Fr.	Franklin, Pa.	4.0	4.4
G	25	Angela Heintz	5-10	Jr.	Bethel Park, Pa.	13.6	6.6
G	32	Jalin Steel	5-7	Jr.	Euclid, Ohio	7.4	2.4

.
NEXT: Winner plays at #1 seed California (Pa.) on Tuesday
 
FIGHTING SCOTS BY THE NUMBERS
 
Edinboro ranks among the leaders in Division II in several categories. The Fighting Scots are 16^th in total assists (450), 17^th in offensive rebounds per game (16), 20^th in total blocks (129), and 25^th in total rebounds (1,168)
 
The Fighting Scots feature a dangerous trio of 3-point shooters in Michelle Jahn, Lauren Hippo, and Katie Fischer. The trio is the first since 2013-14 to record 45 3-pointers apiece. Jahn, Hippo, and Fischer combine to account for 162 of Edinboro's 164 3-pointers. Jahn leads the trio with 64 3-pointers, the sixth most in single-season history.
 
Edinboro leads the PSAC with 450 total assists. In games the Fighting Scots recorded 15 or more assists, they are 14-3. Katie Fischer leads the PSAC and ranks sixth in Division II with 6.5 assists per game and her 181 total assists rank fourth in the nation and are the seventh-most in single-season history.
 
The Fighting Scots have made frequent trips to the charity stripe this season, ranking third in the PSAC with 522 free throw attempts. Edinboro is 17-4 in games where they attempt 15-or-more free throws and just 2-5 when they attempt less than 15 foul shots.
 
Edinboro has maintained a strong presence on the glass this season, ranking third in the PSAC with a +5.9 rebound margin. The Fighting Scots have been out-rebounded in just seven contests this season and are 1-6 in those games.
 
HIPPO JOINS THE 1,000-POINT CLUB
Senior Lauren recorded her 1,000^th career point recently at Gannon. Hippo totaled 14 points, hitting the milestone with a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Hippo is also one of the most prolific 3-pt. shooters in Edinboro history, ranking among the top in all 3-pt. categories. She is third on the team this season, shooting 30.5 percent from beyond the arc. 

Career Points

1.	Samantha Reimer (2006-10)	1,926
2.	Jessica Rowe (1996-00)	1,846
3.	Montique Wade (1986-90)	1,775
4.	Sarah Bishop (1986-90)	1,652
5.	Kelsey Conklin (2006-10)	1,557
6.	Aignee' Freeland (2012-Pres.)	1,539
7.	Kelly Calderone (2004-07)	1,460
8.	Renee' Brown (2008-12)	1,430
9.	Meghan Miller (1995-99)	1,426
10.	Shauna Nevel (1992-96)	1,384
11.	Samantha Blazetic (2009-13)	1,372
12.	Lori Montgomery (1992-96)	1,356
13.	Tina Skidmore (1977-81)	1,337
14.	Heather Gates (1994-98)	1,320
15.	Kiara Brown (2010-13)	1,278
16.	Tammy Walker-Strode (1990-92)	1,273
17.	Krystal Henson (1999-03)	1,263
18.	Marin Hightower (1997-00)	1,218
19.	Maria DiVecchio (2002-06)	1,214
20.	Jeannine Jean-Pierre (1991-93)	1,203
21.	Audrey Scott (1976-80)	1,191
22.	Ellen Mulligan (1980-84)	1,169
23.	Darche' Jackson (2010-14)	1,167
24.	Laurel Lindsay (2010-15)	1,165
25.	Amy Rapelje (1994-98)	1,105
26.	Mary Ann Chilcott (1981-85)	1,068
27.	Lori Dolby (1977-80)	1,067
28.	Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.)	1,063

Career 3-Pt. Field Goal Percentage 
(minimum 100 attempts)     

1.	Michelle Jahn (2015-Pres.)	.400
2.	Valerie Majewski (2013-15)	.396
3.	Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.)	.387
4.	Meghan Miller (1995-99)	.377
5.	Jessica Rowe (1996-00)	.358
6.	Laurel Lindsay (2010-15)	.349
7.	Hope Mancini (2010-15)	.344
8.	Kelly Calderone (2004-07)	.343
9.	Krystal Henson (1999-03)	.342
10.	Mari Hollman (1990-91)	.339

           
Career 3-Point Field Goals Made      

1.	Krystal Henson (1999-03)	275
2.	Meghan Miller (1995-99)	222
3.	Jodi Calderone (2001-05)	209
4.	Samantha Reimer (2006-10)	190
5.	Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.)	174
6.	Kelly Calderone (2004-07)	153
7.	Jessica Rowe (1996-00)	140
8.	Kiara Brown (2010-13)	139
9.	Laurel Lindsay (2010-15)	128
10.	Valerie Majewski (2013-15)	110

Career 3-Point Field Goals Attempted      

1.	Krystal Henson (1999-03)	803
2.	Jodi Calderone (2001-05)	653
3.	Samantha Reimer (2006-10)	610
4.	Meghan Miller (1995-99)	589
5.	Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.)	450
6.	Kelly Calderone (2004-07)	446
7.	Kiara Brown (2010-13)	421
8.	Jessica Rowe (1996-00)	391
9.	Laurel Lindsay (2010-15)	367
10.	Shauna Nevel (1992-96)	345

AIGNEE' FREELAND CRACKS TOP TEN IN CAREER SCORING, RANKS THIRD IN CAREER REBOUNDS, AND FOURTH IN CAREER BLOCKS
Aignee' Freeland joined the 1,000-point club as a junior and recently moved into ninth all-time on the career points list. The senior ranks fourth in the PSAC, averaging 16.9 ppg. Freeland has also been a force to be reckoned with on the glass her entire career and this season is no different. She ranks eighth in the PSAC with 8.4 rpg. and has recorded nine double-doubles this year. Freeland has turned away 54 shots this season, the 12^th most in single-season history and putting her career total at 138. 

Rebounds

1.	Heather Gates (1994-198)	1,301
2.	Montique Wade (1986-90)	1,113
3.	Aignee' Freeland (2012-Pres.)	940
4.	Tina Skidmore (1977-81)	809
5.	Samantha Blazetic (2009-13)	784
6.	Tammy Walker-Strode (1990-92)	777
7.	Kelsey Conkil (2006-10)	772
8.	Renee' Brown (2008-12)	735
9.	Terri Ayers (1990-93)	721
10.	Amy Rapelje (1994-98)	716

Blocks

1.	Samantha Blazetic (2009-13)	285
2.	Terri Ayers (1990-93)	159
3.	Toyia Giles (1988-90)	141
4.	Aignee' Freeland (2012-Pres.)	138
5.	Kate Kosewicz (1974-77)	130
6.	Micki Cerchiaro (2008-12)	127
7.	Agnieszka Michalow (2005-07)	106
8.	Donna Esposito (1982-86)	102
9.	Heather Gates (1994-98)	88
10.	Renee' Brown (2008-12)	86

KATIE FISCHER DISHING IT OUT
First-year Fighting Scot Katie Fischer leads the PSAC with 6.5 assists per game and 181 total assists. Fischer's 181 assists rank seventh on the single-season leaderboard. 
 

1.	Callie Iorfido (2005-06)	249
2.	Andrea Martre (1989-90)	236
3.	Callie Iorfido (2004-05)	225
4.	Laurel Lindsay (2014-15)	206
5.	Desiree Alexander (1991-92)	204
6.	Desiree Alexander (1990-91)	188
7.	Katie Fischer (2015-16)	181
8.	Karen Urey (1988-89)	151
9.	Pam Artman (1992-93)	146
	Karen Urey (1987-88)	146

MICHELLE JAHN FROM DOWNTOWN
The freshman from nearby General McLane high school has emerged as one of the most dangerous 3-pt. threats in the PSAC. Michelle Jahn has made 64-of-160 3-pt. field goals this season, the sixth most in single-season history.